All posts by Alan Hickey

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

Much like the growing awareness surrounding brain trauma and its effects, the problem of poor sleep is gaining traction in the public eye. The NFLPA’s Professional Athletes Foundation, The Living Heart Foundation and Pro Player Health Alliance [PPHA]) work together with former NFL players to make the problems associated with poor sleep known to the public…

Read more about what the Professional Athletes Foundation says David Gergen, Pro Player Health Alliance and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy members are bringing to help the former NFL players across the country have a better night’s sleep.

The full article can be found on the Professional Athletes Foundation website by clicking here.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

Football players are used to strict curfew guidelines, largely designed to ensure the proper amount of sleep. And yet, lying in bed with eyes closed does not necessarily lead to clinically proper sleep. In some situations, it can be quite the opposite. Stories of player deaths have become a cautionary tale on the hazards of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder characterized by complete or partial obstruction of the upper airway.

During OSA episodes, shallow or paused breathing can lead to reduced blood oxygen saturation, which is measured as an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) during sleep tests. Physicians agree that a high AHI degrades organ function over time, which can eventually contribute to premature death. Reduced energy during the day is another obvious result of poor sleep. Those with high AHI numbers are literally waking up several times per hour, making restorative sleep impossible. The goal of sleep apnea treatment is to reduce the AHI number to single digits, or even zero.

For current players, sleep apnea can translate into poor performance on the field, and a less healthy body. “Consider that NFL players seek out every edge they can to capitalize on what amounts to short and lucrative careers,” says David Gergen, CEO of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA). “Proper sleep, and avoiding OSA, should be top of mind for current NFL players who are looking to improve their health and better their performance on the field.”

Meanwhile, many former players who used to throw around their weight to great effect on the field, are often obese after retirement and have a very high incidence of sleep apnea.

“When a player’s athletic career ends, the level of exercise is reduced dramatically while caloric intake often remains high,” adds Andre Collins,Executive Director of the Professional Athletes Foundation and NFLPA Director of Former Players Services. “This could lead to obesity, along with other serious comorbidities.”

Much like the growing awareness surrounding brain trauma and its effects, the problem of poor sleep is gaining traction in the public eye. The NFLPA’s Professional Athletes Foundation, The Living Heart Foundation and Pro Player Health Alliance [PPHA]) work together with former NFL players to make the problems associated with poor sleep known to the public.

Players are eager to talk about OSA because they see the benefits of oral appliance therapy (OAT),

The goal is to educate former player members and their families with the knowledge needed to tackle this tough subject and live the healthiest life possible.”

Super Bowl Champion and All Pro offensive lineman, Derek Kennard, went a long way toward living a healthier life when OSA treatment lowered his AHI from 72 to 2. He used some of the extra energy from radically improved slumber to work out more often, eventually losing a whopping 145 pounds.

All pro and two-time MVP runner up, Roy Green, who started at wide receiver most of his career and for a few years started on both sides of the ball, had three heart attacks and two strokes before being treated with an oral appliance for OSA. Since beginning the treatment, he has had no further heart attacks or strokes. With an AHI that went from 32 to 7 since using the Herbst Appliance, the 60-year-old Green says he feels better than he has in decades.

Green and Gergen have spread the word about OSA through Pro Player Health Alliance, holding free public awareness events in cities across the United States. Green’s extensive connections, along with his involvement in PPHA, has brought hundreds of former players, to try much-needed OSA treatment.

Players who take their health to heart should not overlook the vital component of proper sleep in a healthy lifestyle. If you are a former player who is interested in learning more about the sleep program, contact the PAF’s Laura Stefanow at 800.372.2000.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Former Players Convention is an annual meeting for retired NFL players who come together for days of “innovative professional and personal development workshops, networking, guest speakers and family fun”. A growing topic among the former player community, as well as the world population in recent years, has been health. So much so, that a health assessment planned and organized by Living Heart Foundation was included in the official agenda on two days of the three day conference where players were assessed for body composition, blood pressure, pulmonary function, hearing, sleep apnea and more.

David Gergen, CEO of Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA), was appointed by Andre Collins who is the Executive Director of the Players Athletes Foundation to oversee the sleep apnea component of the health assessments. Gergen selected a team of sleep dentists who need to meet a number of requirements to participate: They must be Diplomates of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA), have a strong community presence and have the capability to treat Medicare patients. Dr. Shad Morris, DMD, led the team of ASBA Diplomates which included Dr. Ronald Rosenbaum, DMD, and Dr. Edward Hobbs, DDS. The board certified sleep physician who worked in collaboration with Dr. Morris was Dr. Cliff Molin.

Project Rose provided the sleep testing equipment for the event and were able to provide a home sleep test to every player who were found to be at high risk of sleep apnea. Founded by Earl Campbell and Gary Baxter, Project Rose Sleep Program is a premier sleep program that test, treat and do research in the field of sleep for better health and wellness outcomes. The initial testing reports from this event found that 93% of former players who were tested came back positive for sleep apnea.

Dr. Shad Morris impressed everyone who was involved with his dedication, professionalism and attention to detail as well as his demonstration of digital scanners. When asked why Dr. Morris was selected to be the point man for the health assessment, David Gergen said, “Shad has donated time and money to help elderly in his community with holiday church functions for years. He has explained to me that his grandparents forged the way for his future. Although many dentists stay away from Medicare because the reimbursement isn’t good and contains so many regulations, Dr. Morris doesn’t mind because he believes in doing the right thing and helping those who worked hard to give him the opportunities to thrive today; giving back is the right thing to do. When I interviewed him for the position in December of 2017, he told me it’s not about the money it’s about successful outcomes, I knew he was the right guy to bring that same attitude to treating members of the NFLPA.” In a separate meeting with Gergen, Morris and NFL Hall of Fame CB Mike Haynes, Gergen mentioned Dr. Morris as the perfect candidate to be the sleep dentists for the newly relocated Las Vegas Raiders because of his thousands of successful outcomes.

ASBA members are the only qualified sleep dentists to treat the former NFL players for obstructive sleep apnea when medically indicated. To attend the ASBA Annual Meeting and become a member of the ASBA, visit Sleep-Conference.Com or email David Gergen at gxployer@aol.com.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) chose Las Vegas, NV to host its annual meeting for player representatives March 2018. Along with usual discussions of player wages, benefits, and positional elections, the Living Heart Foundation offers a free health screening for former players who attend. Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA) has covered the sleep/dental component of the screening for many years and has chosen to partner with the Project Rose Sleep Program as of late to provide the sleep testing. Founded by Earl Campbell and Gary Baxter, Project Rose Sleep Program is a premier sleep program that test, treat and do research in the field of sleep for better health and wellness outcomes.

In 2017, more than 100 retired players took advantage of the screening at the NFLPA Annual Meeting where they were assessed for body composition, blood pressure, pulmonary function, hearing, sleep apnea, and more. American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) Diplomate Dr. Shad Morris, a practicing dentist in Nevada and Utah, has been selected as the head dentist for the screening. Dr. Morris has done an excellent job of treating former players in the past, but this will be his first main event with Living Heart Foundation, NFLPA and Pro Player Health Alliance. He has lectured for the ASBA over the years and built a fine reputation of being one of the most successful sleep dentists in the country with thousands of positive outcomes.

Dr. Ronny Rosenbaum will be the second ASBA Diplomate helping screen the former players at PPHA’s sleep/dental station. Recently, Dr. Rosenbaum was the point dentist at the Pro Bowl Screening in Orlando, FL. He saw over 60 former players and began treatment for over 25 for their sleep apnea.

David Gergen, CEO of PPHA, has said he only selects ASBA Diplomates to participate in the NFLPA/Living Heart Foundation related screenings to ensure the highest quality of treatment. “I have spoken with several physicians over the years and some say, ‘I sent the patient to a dentist and it did not work,’ and that is because the dentist was not properly trained,” says Gergen. “That is why the ASBA is so important. Dentists trained by our doctors know what they are doing—clinically and financially. If you get a dentist who makes an appliance that does not work, it hurts the dental sleep medicine industry as a whole.”
The ASBA Annual Meeting, scheduled for April 13-14, 2018, in Las Vegas, NV, is the place to find this knowledge. With a laser-like focus on the business and clinical side of sleep medicine, it is the conference for dentists who are seriously interested in sleep medicine. Ultimately, dentists who are helping many patients, and succeeding financially, are not merely “dabbling” in sleep medicine. Instead, more than 50% of their practices are sleep.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

ORLANDO, FL – The American Sleep and Breathing Academy’s work with the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) continued last month prior to the NFL’s Pro Bowl game in Orlando, Florida.

The relationship has led to real benefits for NFL players while continuing to raise awareness among the general public, many of whom pay attention to the actions of their grid-iron heroes. Dr. Ronny Rosenbaum, DMD, PA, helped foster that ASBA/NFLPA relationship at last month’s Pro Bowl game.

As a veteran private practice dentist, Rosenbaum discovered dental sleep medicine a few years ago, and it quickly became his passion. With ASBA Diplomate status secured, Rosenbaum got the invite to the 2018 Pro Bowl and eventually took impressions for 25 NFL players at the nearby University of Central Florida’s medical facility during the same day health screening event.

“David Gergen [CEO of the ASBA] is trying to help these ex-NFL players to breathe better, live better, and improve their quality of life,” says Rosenbaum, owner of Cosmetic, Restorative & Preventive Dentistry, Pembroke Pines, Fla. “About 70 players rotated through, and only one said, ‘I don’t want this. I don’t think I have sleep apnea.’ The rest were open, honest, and receptive. In their screening questionnaires, we could see their numbers. We did not expect to take 25 impressions, but they know that oral appliances work.”

Rosenbaum called the overall experience “wonderful” and described the players as “big teddy bears who wanted to feel better and have more energy, because a lot of them were lethargic.” Rosenbaum acknowledges that “CPAP works” but says, “most will not wear it, and even when they do wear it, it can get leaks, and patients can develop issues. It can be good at first and then turn bad. The oral appliance is the best thing for these guys, especially the football players.”

Recently, Rosenbaum has been working with Sleep Group Solutions (SGS) and Rani Ben-David, SGS’ president and founder, using the pharyngometer to measure the airway. “We also test the nasal cavity,” says Rosenbaum, who intends to continue lecturing on behalf of SGS in 2018 and beyond.

“In just a matter of 5 hours I added 25 retired NFL players as patients to my sleep practice. The screening was organized, professional and beyond what I expected. Having the screening inside the Health Center at University of Central Florida was the cherry on top. Taking my staff to the Sleep Group Solutions/ASBA Boot Camp was the best decision I could have made; I heard awesome feedback from other doctors about my staff. This is one of the most exciting things I’ve done in years and I highly recommend all of my colleagues to join the ASBA, attend the annual meeting and bring your staff for the boot camp. It’s fun, exciting and financially rewarding. These NFL players are amazing to work with,” said Dr. Rosenbaum. “Next is Project Rose. I’ve talked with a couple of the guys within Project Rose and the numbers are astounding. Project Rose is going to change dental sleep medicine not only am I excited to help more people with oral appliances, I’m definitely ready for the payout as well.”

To register for the ASBA Annual Meeting and add your staff to the Boot Camp, visit sleep-conference.com.

To find out more about Project Rose, email David Gergen at gxployer@aol.com or call 602-478-9713.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

In the days leading up to February 4th, 2018, most of the country was preparing for what is referred to as “The Big Game”. The city of Minneapolis was covered with posters that said “Welcome to The Bold North”, likely referring to the below freezing temperatures that Minnesota is famous for in the winter. Visitors and locals alike stayed warm indoors, but the men who paved the way for the “Big Game” as we know it today were forging a different path that didn’t lead to a field or stadium, but to an office located in the Medical Arts Building – Downtown Minneapolis that saw the likes Mike Singletary, Carl Eller, Earl Campbell and Mike Haynes.

The freezing cold winds of the Bold North didn’t stop former NFL players from attending the NFLPA sponsored sleep apnea screening provided by Project Rose and Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA) on February 1-2, 2018. When David Gergen, CEO OF PPHA, inquired space for the event, Dr. Mark Wilson, DDS was honored to provide his dental/medical office. Dr. Wilson is known as one of the top periodontists in the country and has been trained in sleep for over ten years. Upon arrival, the retired professional athletes were directed to sign official consent forms that allowed their data to be used for research. After completing screener forms that determine if they are at high risk for sleep apnea, Dr. Inell Rosario, MD reviewed the findings and, when medically indicated, ordered home sleep tests (HST) for them. Project Rose, led by NFL great Gary Baxter, provided HST’s for the players that weekend. Results were immediately uploaded and reviewed the next day and treatment options were provided.

Dr. Mark Wilson, DDS and Dr. Greg Ross, who are sleep dentists and Diplomates of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA), were able to take digital scans of the players’ teeth to have Gergen’s Sleep Appliance Lab begin fabricating instantly. David Gergen only refers ASBA Diplomates to treat the former NFL players.

Sleep dentists working in collaboration with an ENT who is board-certified in sleep, [Dr. Rosario] ensured a quick, efficient and effective service for the players that impressed participants of the event. Former NFL Linebacker Rick Graf said, “I was so happy to hear about this happening this week. I knew I needed to be tested. I snore, but I knew there was something wrong with my breathing at night too. I’m hoping this oral appliance will change my life. My former teammate, Andre Collins, made this program a reality and I’ll be forever thankful to him.”

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

LAS VEGAS – Can a chronic condition such as sleep disordered breathing be eliminated? It’s ultimately a scientific question, but Dave Singh, DMD, PhD, DDSc, is also quick to point out that the answer is not a threat to anyone’s livelihood.

“No one is going out of business,” says Singh, owner, Vivos BioTechnologies Inc, Cedar Crest, New Mexico. “You have mild, moderate, and severe cases. A possible cure is about collaboration and cooperation. No one is excluded from this party. If you’re happy with your CPAP, that’s great. If you’re happy with your oral appliance, that’s fine. There are people who don’t like the mask, and with the oral appliances there can be side effects.”

During his keynote address at the Annual Sleep & Wellness Conference hosted by the American Sleep & Breathing Academy (ASBA) April 13-14, 2018, Las Vegas, Singh will describe sleep apnea procedures that are approved by the FDA and covered by medical insurance. “I’ll talk about the different options,” he says. “There are alternatives in addition to CPAP, surgeries, and mandibular advancement devices.”

Viewed as a whole, Singh sees vast opportunity, and his optimism is infectious. “The future of dental sleep medicine is off the charts,” he says. “It’s the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. I’ve been in the field for a long time, and now we’re seeing public awareness of the issue, and a realization of how sleep apnea affects overall health.

“If we as dentists can help to identify these patients by screening people, getting a diagnosis by working in collaboration with medical colleagues, and determining alternatives, it’s all a win-win,” continues Singh. “This is the golden age of dental sleep medicine.”

In an effort to cement dental sleep medicine within the larger medical world, Singh is working with two university hospitals in the United States to eventually formulate a new specialty, curriculum, and residency training.

“The idea is that dentists will come into the sleep medicine program as a one-year, full-time fellowship in sleep medicine for dentists,” explains Singh. “They would go through that full-time training, and when they come out the other side, we expect a new specialty to emerge called dental sleep medicine, just like you have oral surgeons and orthodontists. This is where ASBA is at the forefront. It’s all about laying this exciting foundation for the future of the profession.”

Dr. Singh is a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. He is the founder of the field of pneumopedics and cranofacial epigenetics, including epigenetic orthodontics, having realized a few years ago that there is a natural way for the body to remodel the upper airway, reshape bone and move teeth into their correct positions painlessly without the use of surgery or drugs.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

The CEO of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy has a clear mission: Educate and spread awareness of oral appliance therapy and sleep disorders to the public, and to the medical and dental professions. Serving as the ASBA’s CEO for the past five years, David Gergen has leveraged the power of athletic celebrity (helping hundreds of former NFL players get treated for sleep apnea) to shine a bright light on sleep disorders and grow the ASBA dental side from 0 to over 1,000 members.

His enormous push in the industry and the ASBA’s massive amount of success is largely in part due to his distinguished pedigree. Gergen is no stranger to elite leadership, coming from a family lineage that has generals and officers in the U.S. military. His family ties also include his grandmother as the first female bank president in the U.S., prominent politicians who have served in presidential cabinets and Hall of Fame athletes in various sports/states. The Gergen family success doesn’t stop there, as clearly seen by his son Johnny’s Minnesota state record for the largest recorded fish ever caught in the history of the state, his daughter Lennon’s successful modeling career appearing as the Mello Yellow girl and television actress in multiple T.V commercials and his oldest son David, like his father, as a state champion in high school football.

I can say with full confidence athleticism runs deep in the Gergen blood. I’ve seen David’s plaque signed by President Jimmy Carter recognizing him as a national record holder in the standing broad jump for the 11-12 year old age group in 1977, jumping 9’ 8 ¾”. That and many other state records he still holds today which have stood for over 30 years. His state championship in the 100 meter sprint is no small feat either. As a state champion football player and coach, he went on to being the only coach in Arizona state history to win a national championship, being presented with a plaque from the Arizona State Governor. Later in 2004, Gergen was presented with the Small Businessman of the Year award. Despite all of his triumphs, Gergen is still a humble person; it took me years of knowing him for him to ever mention any of this to me.

David Gergen running the 200 Meter Sprint

When I thought, “All of this can’t possibly be true,” I was finally able to verify all the stories I had heard after being introduced to his best friends since childhood who he met through Mensa, a special group of children who have high IQ’s- Warren and Will Faulkner. Warren added to his accomplishments telling me, “I convinced him to play with us in the Mormon church league and we took the team all the way to the national championship. David’s shot was so consistent I had to name him the invincible armada, his mere presence gave strength to the weak. David was good for 15-20 points a game and just as many rebounds. Despite being 5’7” he could dunk a basketball. Hops like that are super natural.” Another thing I wasn’t aware of, Faulkners are direct descendants of Edward Faulkner who was commissioned by Brigham Young to colonize Arizona. His loyalty to friends, family and business partners is unrivaled; David even hired Will Faulkner’s son, Skylar Faulkner, who is now his personal assistant. Skylar has said to me, “Working with David Gergen has shown me an entirely different side of success. He is a real winner, and it’s shows through everything he touches. The man has no fear whether it’s taking a business risk, a bar room brawl or defending his girl’s integrity, he’s down for the task. Gergen is the man you want on your team.” This is why when I heard about the hospital projects and the NFL player treatments, I needed to get the word out. Anyone who follows this man will win, that’s a fact. Come learn about how you can get hospitals near you referring you patients during a special dinner at the next ASBA study club with the NFL legend, Earl Campbell.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

The American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) continues to forge new ground in dental sleep medicine.

David Gergen and the team will be in Dallas, TX on May 17, 2017 to meet with executives overseeing a hospital chain made up of 16 hospitals regarding a groundbreaking program in sleep dentistry. In addition, the meeting will include NFL Hall of Fame running back and “Prince of Texas” Earl Campbell who will be involved in doing advertisements for the program. The hospitals are now going to, when medically indicated, send for oral appliance therapy (OAT) as the first line of defense in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The program, which will be operated by Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA) and the ASBA, is going to integrate sleep dentists into hospitals. The only sleep dentists allowed to be included in the program by the hospitals will be ASBA members due to the higher standards of excellence that is a direct result of ASBA training. A key component of the program is the process which the dentists will be paid – the hospitals will bill insurance on behalf of the dentists to ensure higher reimbursements. This is another reason why ASBA members will become the top sleep dentists of the country in coming years.

For more information, email David Gergen at gxployer@aol.com or call at 602-478-9713.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

The American Sleep and Breathing Academy’s (ASBA) concluded a very successful 6th annual meeting April 21-22 in Phoenix AZ. This year’s highly anticipated conference, exceeded expectations, with a record number of registrations, as well as a very strong speaker program the conference garnered fantastic reviews from attendees, exhibitors and other industry professionals who attended.

Next year’s conference scheduled for April 13-14, 2018 is expected to draw over 500 attendees. The Sleep and Wellness Conference 2017 exhibitors’ feedback was “overall a huge success”, which in turn has lead to 33 out of the 48 available spots being reserved for 2018. Sleep Group Solutions’ CEO, Rani Bendavid, was thrilled to be able to attend the meeting. Rani Bendavid said, “We sold more product at this meeting than any previous meeting.” “The 15 booths we still have open to exhibitors will go by the end of the month. It’s a good idea to reserve your spot as soon as possible,” says Gergen. Reservations for spots in the exhibitor hall can be made by emailing David Gergen at david@myasba.com or Alan Hickey at alan@myasba.com.

Publisher of Sleep Diagnosis and Therapy Journal the Official publication of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy, the Journal is a clinical and technical publication for dental and medical professionals.

I have been active in sleep for the past 15 years, and I am excited to see the explosive growth in activity and the recognition that sleep medicine has achieved over this period. Indeed, there are very few examples in medicine that showed such a move from a curiosity item hailed by some researchers, into […]